Shiraz Challenge Crowns its Latest Champions

The victors in the 7th Shiraz Challenge have been decided. The top wines in the annual competition were singled out in Paarl this week, putting them among South Africa’s most desirable wines.

Hosted by cultivar association Shiraz SA, the illustrious awards function took place on Thursday May 16 at Ashanti Estate. The event saw some of the country’s best recognised while guests could sample the 25 single-cultivar wines and six blends that made it to the finals.

The 12 Shiraz champions for 2019 are:

Babylonstoren Shiraz 2017

Bellingham The Bernard Series Basket Press Syrah 2016

Driehoek Shiraz 2017

Driehoek Shiraz 2016

Flagstone Dark Horse Shiraz 2015

KWV Cathedral Cellar Shiraz 2016

Neethlingshof Shiraz 2015

Quoin Rock Shiraz 2015

Rhebokskloof Black Marble Hill Syrah 2016

Kruger Family Reserve Shiraz 2016 (Stellenview)

Strandveld First Sighting Shiraz 2017

La Cave Shiraz 2017 (Wellington Wines)

The winning Shiraz blends are:

Alvi’s Drift Albertus Viljoen Bismarck 2017

Babylonstoren Babel 2017

Eikendal Charisma 2017

KWV is also recognised with a special award this year. The company has had a winner in the competition for seven consecutive years.

Commenting on the quality of entries, panel convenor Dr Andy Roediger said the continued pace of year-on-year improvement had impressed the judges. “The wines across the board were of improving quality and it appears the winemakers have got their wood regime right.

“Very few wines were heavily oaked, a tendency which is being moved away from. It appears that oak from East Europe is overtaking a preference for American, which has resulted in more spicy Shiraz styles.

“The latest vintages have a sweeter fruit tone to them. The wine styles are more approachable at an early age. The wines are elegant, showing fruit purity with balanced oaking,” said Dr Roediger, a Cape Wine Master who has chaired the Shiraz Challenge panel for six years.

The esteem of the competition was again revealed by the fact that wines from every region were entered. A total of 207 wines participated in the championship this year. Of these, 36 were blends – a category added to the competition in 2014.

The importance of the competition is reflected in the scale of Shiraz as a contributor as a job creator and to the country’s economy. Shiraz is among South Africa’s most widely planted varieties with the country being one of the biggest global growers too.